Overview

The Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast is one of the most under-explored parts of South Africa. A temperate wilderness of rolling hills dotted with wild aloes and flowering coral trees, it offers visitors an authentic slice of Africa and is ideal for those dipping a first toe into the world of safari.

Lying as it does at the end of the world-renowned Garden Route and near malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park, the Eastern Cape is the perfect spot to catch your breath before you make your way home. And there are few places more enticing to do so than Miarestate Hotel & Spa in the seaside village of Haga Haga. Set on 740ha of pristine beach, Miarestate consists of stylish timber cottages and luxurious hotel suites as well as a fine-dining restaurant and a top-notch spa.

From July to December, look out for whales and dolphins frolicking in the Indian Ocean but there is also plenty of wildlife to spot year-round: do not be surprised to see Burchell’s zebra, grey duikers, giraffes and blesbok grazing peacefully in the distance. Spend your days hiking, horse riding or mountain biking to return to Miarestate for a gourmet BBQ overlooking the ocean and an exceptional couples’ treatment in the spa.

Highlights

Set on 740ha of indigenous forest & coastline

Year-round birding & whale watching in season

Special ‘Wellness Menu’

Ideal to end Garden Route self-drive or Addo safari

Enjoy horse riding, mountain biking & hiking

Activities

Game drives

Guided walks

Horse riding

Mountain biking

Nature drives

Quad-biking

Fishing

Hiking

Scenic drives

A unique wildlife and beach experience. Warm hospitality, wonderful cuisine, and beautiful surroundings where you can relax and enjoy what the Wild Coast has to offer.

Monique Wolstenholme

Africa Safari Expert

Rooms

Superior Double Room

There are four Superior rooms, which enjoy the peace and tranquillity of an adjoining garden and have outdoor showers and relaxation benches. As well as an adjoining garden and outdoor shower, the two executive rooms have the added luxury of private plunge pools.

Miarestate also has two luxuriously rustic log cabins that accommodate up to four people and make an ideal getaway for families or groups of friends. Each cabin has its own bathrooms and the two cabins share a kitchen. Guests staying in the cabins have access to all hotel facilities.

Facilities

Despite the rugged surroundings of the Wild Coast, Miarestate has excellent facilities including an azure swimming pool, hiking and mountain-biking trails, stables and access to a deserted beach. There is also a full spa with a mini fitness centre and luxurious couples’ room that is ideal for honeymooners wanting to toast their new life together.

There are both laundry and Internet services for guests.

Dining

Miarestate arguably offers some of the finest dining along the Wild Coast. Taking advantage of the sunny but temperate weather (the climate here is very comfortable and does not reach any extremes of heat or cold), the chefs will prepare a gourmet BBQ overlooking the turquoise Indian Ocean.

For breakfast, sample imaginatively named dishes such as ‘The Warthog’ and ‘The Tinker Bird’ before moving onto the healthy Wellness Menu (which includes sensational smoothies) for lunch and dinner options based on the freshest available options for the day.